Thread: welding

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I am interested in learning to weld. Is this a good welder to start out on. A friend of my hubbys gave this to him and i would really love to use it. I am interested in small welding like seat runners and small holes.

Lincoln Electric AC225 Stick Welder - LEWK1170

I learned to weld with a unit similar to that one about 40 years ago. It is not the easiest welder to learn with. A mig welder is much more easy to learn on.

It is probably the most popular welder sold throughout the world, and is still in use in many places like farms and shops. Arc welding has been pretty much replaced by Mig and Tig, but it is an excellent way to join two pieces of steel together. My entire '27 frame and suspension is arc welded, and in the hands of someone who knows how to weld (not me ) can produce nice looking, strong welds.

They aren't good for light stuff too much, and tend to burn through, so even a 110 volt mig might be a better choice for you. Chances are you won't be building any frames for a while, so for your applications a small mig would be a good start. You might want to add a bottle of gas to the mig because you will get less splatter than using flux core.

Don

I just noticed you said you already got one from a friend. Then go ahead and practice with it. Bonehead does lots of welding, so he knows what he is talking about, they are more difficult to use than mig, but if you pick up some of those powdered rods (I call them "contact" rods but they have a proper name that I forget) they make it easier because they won't stick like regular rods tend to.

only reason that i chose this one is because it is free. can anyone tell me where i can get a good starting book to learn by?

Call your local votech. They usually offer welding classes pretty cheap.

Don

would love too but cant travel. have to learn by book and asking alot of questons so welding guys on this site get ready

Hi Jyardgirl I like your saying I have lived by that for over fifty years . Your welder is fine for frames and fairly thick metal but a gas mig is what you really need for lite work. I have aflux core wire welder but I understand that under the right circumstances these can cause rust that can come through your paint. I find wire welders are eaiser to learn to use. I hope this helps. Francis

I agree with the guys above except, for a beginner, you will have much better luck with 6013 or 7014 rod. 6011 is a deep penetrating rod, but produces more spatter and is harder to control the puddle when learning. 6010 is for DC welding and is not compatible with this machine (AC).

Have fun. Welding is one of the most useful skills I ever learned.

Years ago I was welding pipe, and I was bragging to my welders helper that I could weld two tin cans together with my stick welder. Though I had never tried it. The next day he shows up with two tin cans. I welded them together with a very pretty bead. So it can be done. The guys are correct about rod, 1/8 inch 6013, what we used to call "farmer rod", or 6011 is a good place to start. Stick takes a more steady hand, and more eye hand coordination. Good vision is must, so you can see what is going on. Mig welders were only used in factories before the mid 70s, so almost everything before that was arc welded. Arc welding is still used in pipline, and structural work today, so there is nothing wrong with it. it wll tke much more practice to master than mig welding, but it is a wonderful skill. As you learn I will b glad to help with questions.

Ahhhhhhhhhh man,the good ole Lincoln buzz box, Got mine when I was 15 years old with my lawn mowing money,still have it and I'm sure it still works although I haven't fired her up in at least 10 years. That old welder put lotsa roll cages and trailers together for me.

JYGirl, I bought that very machine 25 years ago and have used it in my shop since. We've done A LOT of work with it and it justs works and works and works! The guys are right about the rod, I've just completed assembling my exhaust pipes and welded them together with a 3/32" rod 6013 Turned down as low as it can. Simple butt weld and chip off the flux, a little grinding and painting, it looks great.

It does take practice so don't give up! Yes, you're gonna make some scrap metal! But with some practice I'm sure you can master the basics!
Lastly, learn the required safety practices! You only get one set of eyes! Welding is many, many times brighter than the sun, it can hurt you and faster than you can imagine, so work safe!

I never thought about exhaust and making a trailer. what great ideas. got a set of original glasspacks for xmas. now i can learn how to put them on. after about a month of learning this thing. you guys have made my night.

honestly my opinion is a mig either a lincoln 175 or a millermatic 185 both great machines.

Dave funny that you said that. Hubby came home with the lincoln arc and a couple of bottles with gauges and cutting torch. all for me to play with this weekend. wants me to cut up a old pop up camper. he has a guy coming by to show me how to use everything. hopefully the weather will co-operate.

Thanks EG I will remember all that you have told me.